Special Photo
Members of the Peachtree String Quartet, from left, John Meisner, Yang-Yoon Kim, Christopher Pulgram and Jennifer Humphreys, prepare for the winter concert at the Garden Hills recreation center in Buckhead.

Four Atlanta Symphony Orchestra members joined forces last spring to create the Peachtree String Quartet.

This Sunday, the group will perform for the third time at the Garden Hills Recreation Center in Buckhead.

Christopher Pulgram, of Buckhead, is the director and one of the violinists, and had the idea of performing at the center three times a year.

He said his inspiration came from taking walks around his own Garden Hills neighborhood with production manager Barry Levine.

“We walked past the center, and saw a little stage. … I thought maybe we should give it a try,” Pulgram said. “I thought maybe people from the neighborhood would enjoy a concert there and maybe be a way to give something back to my community.”

He said the response from neighbors has been positive, and they enjoy the small venue.

“It feels like a very personal concert and a very personal experience for people who come,” Pulgram said.

He rotates with John Meisner, of Vinings, on first and second violins. Yang-Yoon Kim, of Midtown, plays viola and Jennifer Humphreys, of Midtown, plays cello.

“The string quartet repertoire is so wonderful and I think that’s the way all of my colleagues feel about it,” Pulgram said. “We have real admiration for one another in terms of musicians.”

The group will perform pieces from Beethoven, Frank Bridge and the Haydn String Quartet.

“Beethoven wrote 17 string quartets and I have only performed a few of them, and one of the reasons I wanted to be part of quartet and start one is so I would have a chance to play great music written by Beethoven,” Pulgram said. “His quartets are magnificent. I am really excited we’re doing one of his on Jan. 20.”

Levine said the performance in Garden Hills gives neighbors an elegant, intimate opportunity to enjoy music.

“You will listen to the finest music you’ll ever hear in your life,” he said. “It’s world-class music done by world-class performers on world-class instruments.”

Levine said audience members have expanded to all of Atlanta. He said the concert will run from 3 to 4:30 or 4:45 p.m., and will be followed by social time afterwards with wine from The Wine Merchant, of Peachtree Hills.

Pulgram said he hopes audience members leave with an “appreciation for great music.”

“And maybe even a better understanding of themselves,” he said. “I hope that it enriches their lives.” The quartet will also perform at Eddie’s Attic in Decatur Feb. 12, Ahavath Achim Synagogue in Buckhead March 3, Peachtree Presbyterian Church in Buckhead April 18 and again at Garden Hills April 21.

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